Motivation is Meritorious

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 15. Here is what I learned.

They do not charge interest on money they lend and do not take ·money [a bribe] to hurt innocent people. 

Whoever does all these things will never be ·destroyed [moved]. Psalm 15:5 (EXB)

The one who does not collect interest on a loan or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:5 (GW)

Motivation. I find that word interesting. Why does a person do what they do? What is their motivation? Is there a hidden agenda? What is the incentive? 

Motivation can be a good thing... it can create a desire to go above and beyond the ordinary to help another. Motivation can also encourage us to do better than we thought we could do. 

Yet, the wrong motivation can create a discontentments and frustration if we expect something in return. 

Making sure my motivation is meritorious (noble, honorable) is major in maintaining a meaningful relationship with God. God knows why I do what what I do. He knows my heart. 

How do I keep my motivation in check? By making sure that I’m doing what I’m doing to honor God, and not please a person or make myself look good. I’ve written before about “making my Boss, look good.” And “my Boss” is God. I’m to do ALL things to give Him glory and honor. 

Well, I’ll tell you why. It is because you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (TLB)

To create a positive day, I need to make sure my motivation is meritorious and giving glory to God. 

Take Delight

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 1. Here is what I learned.

But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. Psalm 1:2 (TLB)

They ·love [delight in] the Lord’s ·teachings [laws; instructions], and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night. Psalm 1:2 (EXB)

Doing everything God wants them to......... that word EVERYTHING encompasses so much! There are some things that are fun to do... those are easy to accomplish. BUT...... everything God wants me to do.... that’s a bit harder. 

Such as:

But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44 (TLB)

How can I do that? The only way is to love God, and take delight in obeying Him. When I focus on Who God is, and what He wants me to do... then obeying Him is easier. When we love someone, we don’t mind doing what they ask... even if we think the task is unpleasant. 

If I’m finding it hard to do everything God wants... and taking delight in obeying God, then I need to spend time in deepening my relationship with Him. For out of love comes obedience. 

To create a positive day, I need to take delight and enjoy obeying God..... and if I’m not, than I need to spend time with Him deepening my relationship. 

Stop Acting like a Brat

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 13. Here is what I learned.

I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly. Psalm 13:6 (TLB)

I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers. Psalm 13:6 (MSG)

So full of answered prayers..... yet, how often do I focus on the unanswered prayers—or unanswered in my mind? A parent does not give a child everything they ask for, nor do they respond immediately to each request. For a parent knows that a child will ask for things that are not in the best interest of the child. 

The same is true with my Heavenly Father. He knows what I need, and when I need it. God also knows that I will ask for things that are not the best for me. Therefore, God’s blessings are in accordance with His purpose, will and most importantly are given in love. 

On the days that I don’t feel like singing—I know exactly why the song doesn’t come. It’s because I’m pouting and focusing on the unanswered requests, and the blessings that I think I should have. In other words, I’m acting like a brat! Ungrateful for the amazing blessings that God has provided, I’d rather focus on what I didn’t get. Yes, that is acting like an ungrateful spoiled brat! 

To create a positive day, I need stop acting like a brat and change my focus on the fact that God in His love will bless me with only those blessings that are the best for me, and are in accordance with His will and purpose. 

Always Accessible

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 11. Here is what I learned.

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men. Psalm 11:4 (AMP)

But the Eternal has not moved; He remains in His holy temple. He sits squarely on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, examining us within and without, exploring every fiber of our beings. Psalm 11:4 (VOICE)

But the Lord is still in his holy temple; he still rules from heaven. He closely watches everything that happens here on earth. Psalm 11:4 (TLB)

The Lord is in his holy temple - Hebrew, "Jehovah is in the temple of his holiness." That is, he is in heaven, regarded as his temple or dwelling-place. This is the answer of the psalmist to the suggestions of his advisers that he should flee from danger. The answer is, in substance, that he had nothing to fear; that he had a protector in heaven; and that he might appeal to Him for defense. The idea is, that God, the protector of the righteous, is always in the heavens; that his throne is always accessible; and that to it the persecuted may come, and may always be safe.

The Lord's throne is in heaven - God is a king, ruling the universe. As such, the seat of his power or dominion is represented as in heaven, where he administers his government. That throne is fixed, and the affairs of his universe will be administered with justice. The righteous, therefore, may hope in his protection, and need not flee when the wicked assail them. The idea here is that of unwavering confidence in God as sitting upon the throne of the universe, and administering its affairs with justice and truth. Barnes' Notes on the Bible 

“The idea is, that God, the protector of the righteous, is always in the heavens; that his throne is always accessible; and that to it the persecuted may come, and may always be safe.” 

That sentence is an awesome ponder morsel for today! WOW!

To create a positive day, it’s all about remembering that God is always in the heavens, He’s always accessible and no matter what happens, I’ll be safe! 

Relationship

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 8. Here is what I learned.

The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the seas. Psalm 8: 8 (AMP)

I’m continually amazed at Max, my parakeet. To think a bird, who has the freedom to fly about the apartment, chooses to sit on my shoulder most of the time. He wants to be near me. 

There is a contrast to the birds that visit on my balcony. They fly away when I get anywhere near the sliding door. The birds outside will come to the balcony for food and water, but they don’t want to be near me. There is no relationship or trust with the wild birds. Rather, Max has learned that he can trust me, and that I care for him. 

My relationships with the wild birds vs Max are very different. The wild birds know that they will find food and water on my balcony, so they come when they are hungry or thirsty. There is no interaction. Max on the other hand, talks to me, likes to be near me. When he gets a down feather stuck in his mouth, he flies to me, knowing that I’ll help him. Max knows that even when I trim his nails, something he hates, that I’m caring for him. 

As I think about the relationships with the birds around me, I have to think also of my relationship with God. Do I see God as only a provider of “food and water”? Do I just go to Him to ask for something, but don’t take spend time with Him? Do I understand that even when God allows things in my life that I don’t like, He is help me and teaching me? 

Relationships are based on trust, and getting to know someone. If I only expect God to give me food and water, I miss out on so much. Yet, building the relationship with God is up to me. God wants me to know Him; He is waiting. 

To create a positive day, I need to work on building my relationship with God.

Immeasurable Greatness

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 150. Here is what I learned.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! Psalm 150:2 (AMP)

abundance: be more, multiply, ten thousands

abundance: noun

1. an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply

2. overflowing fullness

3. affluence; wealth

As I read Psalm 150 this morning, I had to stop and think about the word, “abundance”. As I looked up the meaning, the word in Hebrew means “ten thousands”, multiply. 

God’s greatness is in the “ten thousands” and literally beyond! I’m to be praising God simply because of His greatness..... the abundance, the ten thousands of his greatness. 

How do I grasp “ten thousands”? I really can’t. God’s greatness is really immeasurable. 

Even if I can’t grasp the immeasurable greatness of God, to create a positive day, I need to start by praising God simply because of His greatness! 

Misplaced Trust

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 146. Here is what I learned.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Psalm 146:3 (AMP)

Do not put your ·trust [confidence] in princes or other people, who cannot ·save you [give you victory]. Psalm 146:3 (EXB)

Do not put your trust in the rulers of this world—kings and princes. Do not expect any rescue from mortal men. Psalm 146:3 (VOICE)

Yesterday, I held an “Apartment Sale”. I spent the last 2 weeks preparing for the sale. Pricing the items, organizing the clothes, posting signs, etc. I was SURE I’d make “LOTS” of money to help me pay some bills. I mean, this was the perfect way to earn some money! But I only sold 2 things and the first person bought the items BEFORE the sale day, the other person bought a set of storage units, and she was at the sale to help me with the sale. 

So, actually, no one came to the sale. I was frustrated. I thought for sure this was a great way to get some money. But then this morning I read Psalm 146:3...... Do not put your trust in other people.... for there is no help! 

God is NOT limited to a 2 hour window of selling items. God is more creative than an “apartment sale” to supply my needs. I have to remember that God is wiser and has unlimited ways to care for me. 

Do not trust in other people...... for the supplier of my needs. I’m to trust in God ONLY! For only God knows my needs and can supply exactly what I need at the time needed. 

So, what a bout the “Apartment Sale”? I do believe that God would have me do what I can to sell the items. So, I’ll try a few more times. But even if I don’t sell anything else, I know that God can and will supply my needs, for my hope and trust is not in other people. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I don’t have misplaced trust—people cannot help me—God is the only true and honest source of help.